New Hampshire’s coastal dunes are a natural shield—absorbing storm surges, protecting coastal communities, and providing critical habitat for wildlife. Dunes are highly dynamic systems and are no stranger to change, however these habitats face new pressures as we develop and ‘harden’ our coastline. Thankfully, researchers, community leaders, and volunteers are working together to plant and restore native dune grass.

Show notes:

New Hampshire’s coastal dunes are a natural shield—absorbing storm surges, protecting coastal communities, and providing critical habitat for wildlife. Dunes are highly dynamic systems and are no stranger to change, however these habitats face new pressures as we develop and ‘harden’ our coastline, in the context of a rapidly changing Gulf of Maine. Thankfully, researchers, community leaders, and volunteers are working together to plant and restore native beachgrass, Ammophila breviligulata.

Act 1: What's the difference between beachgrass and seagrass? How much dune habitat exists in the Granite State's short stretch of coastline? And why aren't our dune habitats thriving as they should be? Alyson Eberhardt, the Coastal Ecosystems Extension Specialist at New Hampshire Sea Grant, helps us answer all of these questions, while telling a story of the Common Garden. Like any good community garden, this space brings people together under a shared purpose.

Act 2: The town of Hampton, New Hampshire sits at the center of this sandy conversation. Intense storms and flooding events have prompted homeowners and beachgoers in this popular beach town to seek solutions. Brianna Hagan, Conservation Coordinator at the Town of Hampton, knows that since we can't control the ocean, that her town has important decisions to make for the future. But sometimes the simplest place to start is with a shovel and a plant.

Act 3: People from all crosswalks of life come together on a cold April morning at Plaice Cove in Hampton, New Hampshire to transform a stretch of coastline. Chris Grippo, Chair of Surfrider Foundation's New Hampshire Chapter, and Patty McKenzie, a local homeowner, take a moment between getting their hands sandy to describe why planting beachgrass gives them hope.

Guest Speakers:

Alyson Eberhardt, Ph.D., Coastal Ecosystems Extension Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant

Brianna Hagan, Conservation Coordinator at the Town of Hampton

Chris Grippo, Chair of the Surfrider Foundation New Hampshire Chapter

Patty McKenzie, Resident of Hampton, New Hampshire

Hosted by: Brian Yurasits, Science Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant

Produced by: Brian Yurasits

Further reading:

Common Garden of Native Sand Dune Plants
Dune Restoration
Coastal Research Volunteers
Surfrider Foundation New Hampshire Chapter

New Hampshire Sea Grant works to enhance our relationship with the coastal environment to sustain healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities through integrated research, extension, education, and communications efforts. Based at the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Sea Grant is one of 34 programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program, a state-federal partnership serving America’s coasts. Learn more by visiting: seagrant.unh.edu

University of New Hampshire is an equal opportunity employer, learn more: https://extension.unh.edu/civil-rights-statement

What happens when the growing marine economy meets efforts to protect threatened and endangered seabirds? Elizabeth Craig and her team are mapping the journeys of common and roseate terns (Sterna hirundo and Sterna dougallii) to ensure both conservation efforts and development can move forward together in the Gulf of Maine. Join us in the bird blind on this episode of Time and Tide as we uncover how seabird researchers are able to track the movements and feeding behaviors of terns in the Gulf of Maine, and why these movements matter to us.

Act 1: Step onto White and Seavey Islands with Elizabeth Craig, Director of Seabird Science at Shoals Marine Laboratory, as she describes the threats faced by common and roseate terns in a changing Gulf of Maine, and why we as humans should care about the fate of these agile birds that spend their lives at sea. We dodge dive-bombing birds, and side-step freshly hatched chicks while discussing the importance of data-driven conservation efforts and her team's latest Sea Grant-funded research. We also address hard-hitting questions such as: why do seabird researchers wear wide-brimmed hats? And what is seabird poop bingo?

Act 2: We join Caitlin Panicker, an undergraduate student at Bowdoin College, in the bird blind to learn what it's like to live on the Isles of Shoals for a summer, watching the same birds fly in and out of a nesting colony. Caitlin explains what a tern 'neighborhood' looks like and shares some advice for college students looking to gain field experience.

Act 3: So, where does all of this information go, and how does it impact us non-birds? We sat down with Katy Bland, a Research and Engagement Manager working with Sea Grant and NERACOOS, to talk through the uses of Elizabeth's tern research with us. Katy focuses on the interaction between coastal communities and offshore renewable energy development in the Gulf of Maine. Making her the perfect guest to help us understand how Liz’s seabird research can be used to inform decisions about how we use our ocean.

Guest Speakers:

Dr. Elizabeth Craig, Director of Seabird Science, Shoals Marine Laboratory
Affiliate Faculty, Department of Biological Sciences, UNH.

Caitlin Panicker, undergraduate student intern currently attending Bowdoin College.

Katy Bland, Research and Engagement Manager, NERACOSS, New Hampshire Sea Grant, Maine Sea Grant.

Hosted by: Brian Yurasits, Science Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant.

Produced by: Brian Yurasits

Further reading:

Seabirds as Indicators of New Hampshire’s Fisheries

The Science of Seabirds – Seacoast Science Center

NERACOOS

New Hampshire Sea Grant works to enhance our relationship with the coastal environment to sustain healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities through integrated research, extension, education, and communications efforts. Based at the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Sea Grant is one of 34 programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program, a state-federal partnership serving America’s coasts. Learn more by visiting: seagrant.unh.edu

University of New Hampshire is an equal opportunity employer, learn more: https://extension.unh.edu/civil-rights-statement

Summary:

Two centuries ago, European Green Crabs arrived in New England’s coastal waters and quickly became one of the world’s most notorious marine invaders — outcompeting native species, devouring shellfish, and threatening local fisheries. In this episode of Time and Tide, we explore how scientists, fishers, chefs, and local volunteers are countering this invasive species by turning an ecological problem into an unexpected and delicious resource.

Show notes:  

Two centuries ago, a tiny stowaway arrived in New England’s coastal waters: the European Green Crab (Carcinus maenas). Since the early 1800s, this unassuming invader has spread from the Mid-Atlantic to Canada’s Prince Edward Island, causing significant ecological damage and economic headaches along the way.

In this episode of Time and Tide, we dive into how green crabs became one of the world’s most notorious marine invaders — outcompeting native species, devouring shellfish, clipping seagrasses, and threatening local fisheries. But what if we could counter this invasive species by putting them on our plates — and even in our glasses?

Join host Brian Yurasits and co-host Erik Chapman as they explore how scientists, fishers, chefs, and local volunteers are turning this problem into an unexpected and delicious resource.

In Act 1, Dr. Gabriela Bradt, fisheries specialist with NH Sea Grant and UNH Extension and leader of the NH Green Crab Project, crabwalks us through the green crab takeover of U.S. coastlines, and why soft-shell green crabs could be New England’s next sustainable food craze if the idea catches on.

In Act 2, Mary Parks, Founder and Executive Director of GreenCrab.org, explains how this crustacean menace is finding its way onto restaurant menus — through the creativity of chefs and harvesters working to open new markets.

Tune in to learn how we might just be able to eat (and drink) our way to a healthier ocean.

Guest Speakers:

Dr. Gabriela Bradt, Fisheries Extension Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant & UNH Extension

Mary Parks, Founder and Executive Director, GreenCrab.org

Hosted by: Brian Yurasits, Science Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant.

Co-Hosted by: Erik Chapman, Director, New Hampshire Sea Grant

Produced by: Brian Yurasits

Further reading:

NH Green Crab Project

GreenCrab.Org

New Hampshire Sea Grant works to enhance our relationship with the coastal environment to sustain healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities through integrated research, extension, education, and communications efforts. Based at the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Sea Grant is one of 34 programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program, a state-federal partnership serving America’s coasts. Learn more by visiting: seagrant.unh.edu

University of New Hampshire is an equal opportunity employer, learn more: https://extension.unh.edu/civil-rights-statement